GARY Bowyer says it is ‘only a matter of time’ before Matt Kilgallon pens a new contract at Blackburn Rovers - with the defender deep in talks over a deal.

Kilgallon, whose current contract expires this summer, was restricted to a bench role for much of the first half of the season but has established himself in the heart of the defence with a string of impressive performances since the turn of the year.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Rovers’ injuries woes meant the 31-year-old was the only natural centre back in their line-up at Reading on Saturday but Kilgallon helped Bowyer’s men to a 0-0 draw and said recently that he would like to stay at the club if offered a new deal.

Bowyer has confirmed that Rovers have now entered into contract talks with the former Sunderland man.

“Contract negotiations are ongoing with Killa and his representatives now, so it’s only a matter of time before that’s done,” the Rovers boss said.

“I thought he was superb again at Reading. His experience is vital.”

Bowyer reserved praise for his entire defensive unit at the Madejski Stadium.

Simon Eastwood retained his place in goal ahead of Jason Steele after impressing in the FA Cup against Liverpool on Wednesday, while Adam Henley dealt with the threat of wide man Gareth McCleary and left back Tommy Spurr filled in at centre half in the absence of Alex Baptiste.

The manager said: “Tommy played right back a couple of times for Sheffield Wednesday back in the day but to come away with a clean sheet with that back four put together was a fantastic effort from everyone involved. I thought Tommy was terrific.

“Adam Henley was outstanding again against another tricky customer. He must have been delighted when he saw that he’d just got rid of Raheem Sterling and he’d got another flying machine against him.

“The back four were terrific, and Easty. Over the course of the season he’s played a cup game and gone out, and we wanted to see how he’d react playing back to back games.”

Rudy Gestede missed Saturday’s match after Bowyer had previously admitted that he had rushed the striker back from a hamstring problem for the Liverpool replay.

Craig Conway also made a swift return for that tie after a hamstring injury, and was an unused substitute against Reading.

But Bowyer hopes both players will be available for tomorrow night’s Championship fixture at Birmingham City.

“We want to try to get Rudy through the remaining five games and we’d have put him at risk of further injury if we’d played him on Saturday,” the manager said.

“Wednesday was a one-off but we’re hoping he should be fit for Tuesday now and finish the run-in strong.

“We should have Craig Conway back as well. I know he was sub on Saturday but we were being sensible with him. It’s only four weeks still since he did his injury.

“We’ll be able to freshen it up a little bit on Tuesday.”

Rovers will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run away from home to eight games at Birmingham.

Bowyer praised the club’s travelling fans for their support at the Madejski and was content with a point.

He said: “When you look at the injuries, an enormous amount of credit goes to our players for putting in that kind of effort.

“To go away from home and keep a clean sheet anywhere is a great effort.

“I think that’s seven unbeaten away from home now.

“Was it a classic game? No it wasn’t, but there were lots of elements that were really positive.

“Probably the only negative was that we weren’t threatening enough going forward.

“We played 4-4-2, we had two strikers up there, but we just couldn’t quite get hold of it and build up from there.

“But overall if you come away with a point, you’re happy enough.”